NUP Fronts Late MP Nakimuli’s Sister’s Nampala for Kalangala District Woman MP By-Election.

By Abraham Lincolns | Kampala

The National Unity Platform on Thursday endorsed Irene Nampala, sister to the late Kalangala Woman MP Hellen Nakimuli, as its flag bearer for the forthcoming by-election in a contest expected to test the party’s strength in one of its island strongholds.

Nakimuli had retained her second term to Parliament on the NUP ticket during the January 2026 General Election but later died following a surgical procedure in Kampala on  19th April  2026 leaving Kalangala District without representation in Parliament.

The endorsement comes as political parties intensify preparations for what is expected to become a closely watched contest in Kalangala, an island district regarded as one of NUP’s strongholds. While unveiling Nampala to the people of Kalangala at the party headquarters at Makerere Kavule, the NUP Acting President Lina Zedriga said Nampala overscored with 68.2 percent marks where she rallied supporters to mobilise across the district to ensure victory for the party candidate.

“We shall sweep island by island to ensure Irene secures the needed victory,” Zedriga said, expressing confidence that the party would retain the seat previously held by Nakimuli as long as they fight as a team with solidarity. The by-election has already attracted significant interest, with reports indicating that at least 15 women initially expressed interest in contesting for the seat, including 11 aspirants seeking the NUP endorsement where Irene Nampala was among those vying before emerging as the preferred party candidate.

While the Electoral Commission released the roadmap for the by-election, display of the voters’ register is currently underway across polling stations in Kalangala District and continued until May 29 were voters   verified their details and raised objections before polling day.

The Commission earlier conducted an update of the National Voters Register at parish level between May 11 and May 13, while May 13 was also set as the deadline for voter registration and transfer of voting locations within the district.

Under the roadmap, candidates will subsequently be nominated before launching campaigns across Kalangala’s scattered island communities while polling and tallying of results are scheduled for June 24, 2026. During her tenure in Parliament, Nakimuli earned recognition for advocating issues affecting island communities, including transport connectivity, health services, education access and women’s empowerment.